U.S. Shipbuilding Push Stumbles as Key White House Official Departs and Hanwha Eyes LNG Carrier Build
U.S. President Donald Trump’s efforts to revitalize America’s commercial shipbuilding sector have hit a significant roadblock following the departure of Ian Bennitt, a senior official in the National Security Council overseeing maritime affairs.
According to Seatrade Maritime, at least one of Bennitt’s deputies is also expected to leave the administration, raising questions about the future of the Trump administration’s planned “Maritime Action Plan.”
This strategic initiative, aimed at strengthening the domestic shipping and shipbuilding industries, was expected to be formally unveiled in November, pending adherence to the current timeline.
However, leadership changes at the National Security Council may now delay or disrupt its rollout.
At the same time, developments involving Hanwha Ocean—parent company of Hanwha Philly Shipyard—could point to a possible direction for American shipbuilding’s future.
In a complex inter-company arrangement, Hanwha Shipping, the U.S.-based subsidiary of South Korea’s Hanwha Ocean, is reported to have ordered a liquefied natural gas (LNG) carrier to be built at the Hanwha Philly Shipyard near Philadelphia.
The move follows Hanwha Ocean’s acquisition of the Philadelphia shipyard from a group linked to Norwegian conglomerate Aker at the end of 2024, in a deal valued at approximately $100 million.
The shipyard has a long history of building Jones Act-compliant vessels for major U.S. companies such as Overseas Shipholding Group (now part of Saltchuk), Exxon, and Matson.
The estimated cost of the new LNG carrier stands at KRW 348 billion (approximately $260 million), aligning with recent global prices for 180,000-cubic-metre LNG vessels.
While full technical details have not yet been disclosed, there is speculation that an option for a second ship is also under consideration.
The project is significant: the United States has not built an LNG carrier since the late 1970s, when ten spherical-tank LNG ships were constructed at the Quincy Shipyard in Massachusetts by General Dynamics.
Recent policy discussions from the United States Trade Representative have emphasized LNG shipping and proposed economic measures targeting Chinese-affiliated vessels in U.S. ports. These proposals also include calls for an increase in U.S.-flagged shipping assets.
Industry analysts have taken note of the project’s competitive pricing—an aspect long considered unattainable for U.S.-built commercial vessels.
The affordability is largely attributed to the joint-construction model: while much of the ship’s fabrication will take place at Hanwha Ocean’s primary facility in Geoje, South Korea, the Hanwha Philly Shipyard will play a critical role in ensuring the vessel meets U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) safety and certification standards.
A statement from Hanwha confirmed this dual-shipyard strategy, stating that while core construction will occur in Korea, Hanwha Philly will oversee all necessary compliance and regulatory approvals required for U.S. flagging.
Hanwha has expressed a clear ambition to become a leading player in the U.S. shipbuilding market. The company aims to introduce advanced technologies and construction methods from its South Korean operations to American shores, potentially redefining what’s possible for U.S.-based commercial shipbuilding.
Despite political uncertainty in Washington, the Hanwha project offers a glimpse of what a revitalized U.S. shipbuilding industry could look like—leveraging international collaboration, modern technology, and compliance with American regulations.
